The following account was written by Lt. Col. George
MacDonnell, the British officer commanding the attack on Ogdensburg. The garrison at
Ogdensburg under Captain Forsyth of the 1st US Rifles had been quite active
harassing British supply boats on the St. Lawrence and raiding a couple of Canadian towns.
MacDonell wished to remove this threat and proposed to visiting Governor Sir George
Prevost on February 21st that an attack be made across the frozen St. Lawrence.
Not wishing to draw attention to vulnerability of his supply line, Prevost turned down
MacDonnells plan but allowed him to make a "demonstration" on the ice in
front of Prescott across from Ogdensburg.

But to MacDonnell the expulsion of Forsyth had become personal. Under a flag of truce,
MacDonell had been sent two days earlier to see Forsyth to complain about the
unmilitary-like and "predatory" raids on Canadian villages. Forsyth meet him only
with insults. Later MacDonell admitted that he was "bent upon chastising the
personal insolence he had received from the American Commander."

In the ensuing battle a large part of the town of Ogdensburg was damaged
with Forsyth
escaping with part of his riflemen overland to Sackets Harbor. With his sword in the
hands of the enemy, and bullet holes in his hat and coat, Forsyth was determined to take
back Ogdensburg and requested troops from the officer in command at Sackets
Harbor. But none were forthcoming. Instead of blaming the British, local and
military officials placed blame for the attack on Ogdensburg squarely with Forsyth for
"his known zeal for a small partisan warfare." Civil leaders in Ogdensburg
became hostile to any US troops being stationed in their town again. It was not until
October 1813 did US troops return to the area. Without federal troops around, a number of
the towns citizens took up selling food and supplies to the British troops across
the river, a trade that continued throughout the rest of the war.

Library and Archives of Canada, Record Group 8, Series I, vol. 678, pg. 100, Macdonell to Harvey, Prescott,
February 25th, 1813.

"Sir,

In my hasty dispatch of the
22nd Instant I was unable to detail the operations of that day I now have the honour
to acquaint you, for the information of His Excellency The Commander of The Forces, that,
immediately on his departure from this post on that morning, I commenced my arrangement
for the demonstration he had authorized me to make, by drawing in my Night picquets,
&, to gain time, made my disposition for the movement without waiting for the troops
of the line to take off their watchcoats, which I afterwards much regretted when I found
the depth of the snow on the Enemy's shore -- My principal column, on the left, consisted
of about 120of the King's Regiment & 30 of the Newfoundland, with about 230 of the
Militia--

My Right CoIumn was composed of
the Right flank Company of the Glengarry Light Infantry & 70 Militia, was commanded by
Captain Jenkins of the Glengarry Regiment--I advanced with my principal Column in front of
the Enemy's right as did my other Corps on his left, on the signal of a Gun, which I
fired, with a view, principally, to rouse the Enemy, that I might judge from his
appearance of the propriety of an Assault- It was past seven I began to cross the River--
I could plainly discover with my glass that the Enemy's force would prove no great
obstacle, compared with the advantage attending success, which the confidence I had in the
gallantry of my troops convinced me would be the result.

As I advanced, I conceived
additionalhopes of success & determined on the assault- My advanced Guard consisting
of the Company of the Newfoundland & volunteer light Company of the Militia, moved
quickly on under the command of Staff Adjutant Ridge of the Kings Regiment, &
was followed by the detachment of the Kings Regiment under Captain Eustace, &the
Militia under Colonel Fraser &Captain LeLievre of the Newfoundland Regiment The
Enemy's advanced Battery opened on the flank of this Colomn, which was soon after exposed
to the direct fire of Grape &Cannister shot from a twelve, nine & six pounder --
Here the depth of snow & the commanding position of the Enemy's line of musquetry gave
him a great advantage of fire.Being determined to carry everything with the Bayonet
I pushed on my advance which was gallantly led on by Staff Adjutant Ridge &nobly
supported by Captain Eustace & the detachment of the Kings & well followed
up by the MilitiaThe advance took the Guns in front & the King's rushed up a
parallel street to flank them, &,driving the Enemys Infantry, carried the Guns
one of which was turned upon them -- Giving them in charge of a division of the Militia,
the Colomn pursued the Enemy thro' the main Street leading to the bridge over the Black
River, under a galling fire from the windows, & from the Guns in the old fort when it
had gained the high bank of this RiverThe men being much fatigued & out of
breath I then halted & lined this height with the King's Regiment, keeping a reserve
of Militia in Column & detaching small parties on my left flank to dislodge the Enemy
from the houses & woods -- My field pieces now came up from the bank of the St
Lawrence, where we had left them sticking in the snow, & were ably directed by Ensign
MacKay of the Glengarry Light Infantry & Ensign Kerr of the Militia & the Royal
& Militia Artillery-- It required some rounds of grape & round shot to silence the
musquetry from the Windows-- I now detached my advance & a Company of Militia to take
a twelve pounder on the eastern Battery near the large Store which they soon effected- In
the interim my right Column was gallantly led on by Captain Jenkins at the head of his own
Company in advance in extended order and supported by his Militia, as a reserve--He kept
pace with my Column & moved on as rapidly as the snow, which had drifted very deep,
the preceding evening, would admit--In their eagerness to reach the Enemy they also lost
breath, but notwithstanding pushed on bravely in face of very heavy fire of five guns,
& when he had gallantly led them on to within charging distance, he fixed bayonets
& pushed forward, but had not proceeded many paces, when his left arm (which he has
since lost) was smashed to pieces with a grape shot & his Right: immediately after
severely lacerated by cannister, but he still ran on cheering his men to the attack, till
his arms dangling useless before him & becoming faint with loss of blood, he was
compelled to stop -- His Company continued to advance with Lieut. Macauly & Ensign
Macdonell, but the reserve not being able to keep up with them & being quite
exhausted, they were compelled to fall back about the time that my Column gained the
height on the other flankHaving soon formed my storming party, I sent in a flag to
the Fort to require an immediate surrender on pain of being put to the Bayonet -The Enemy
refused to comply "without more fighting"I immediately ordered a charge
& Captain Eustace with Ensigns Powell & Lowrie (the latter of whom had left a sick
bed to join his Company) & his men gallantly rushed on to the charge covered by a
three pounder under Ensign Kerr, but the men, cheering loudly, prevented my orders being
distinctly heard, to keep the road which lead to the proper declivity to descend to the
River-- This however enabled me to form them in a better manner with the Company of the
Newfoundland & Glengary Militia, under cover of a large building, & again they
pushed on &entered the fort, just as the Enemy had evacuated it on the opposite side
& was retiring to the woods -If Captain Skinner & the Indians had not been
detached in the morning as an escort to His Excellency, I would have employed him in
intercepting the Enemy on his retreat & would unquestionably have captured the whole
Garrison, which retreated that day fourteen miles, leaving Officers & 70 men
prisoners-The Enemy's force consisted of about 500 men including Militia--The action
lasted about One hour & a half--The Gallantry displayed by all ranks under my command
was highly gratifying--The Regular troops including the Royal Artillery maintained the
high character of their respective Corps & their example was nobly followed by the
Militia - I was well supported by Colonel Fraser of the Militia & Lieutenant Colonel
Fraser of the same Corps who joined me towards the close of theaction, & I am much
indebted to Captain LeLievre, for his active superintendence of this force, to which I had
attached him, & for his occasional service at the Artillery - The Officers of the
King's Regiment have my warmest commendation-The name of Ensign Powell, who was wounded by
a bayonet was omitted in the return I had the honour of forwarding to you--I cannot
sufficiently admire the heroic bravery of Captain Jenkins who speaks in such high terms of
his gallant Company, that I am convinced they would themselves have carried the fort
&Guns with the bayonet if he had not been disabled-- lieutenant Gaugreben of the Royal
Engineers rendered essential service in bringing up the reserve of this Column after his
gun had been disabled by a shot from the Enemy  I must not omit to mention the brave
conduct of the Newfoundland Company who had no Officer of that Regiment with them &
led the advance Guard  Having dislodged the Enemy from houses and woods I detached
the Indians, whom the Cannonade had brought back to me, to pursue him, but without effect
 I took the necessary precautions to secure my position & emptying the Magazine,
burnt the old & new Barracks, together with two Schooners & the gun boats, Guard
houses, scows & boats &c & in a few hours evacuated the town, after carrying
off all the Ordnance, Commissariat & Marine stores, and a quantity of camp equipage
and clothing 